Codeage discount code below!

Roll out of bed.
Eyes halfway open.
Find slippers.
Wearily walk into kitchen. Still dark.
Gather coffee essentials. Pour. Froth. AHHHH.
Now I'm awake!

My silent morning coffee routine is something that I look forward to each morning. Over the last few years I have determined what flavors I enjoy & have perfected my blend. Nothing more adult than that!

At the beginning of the year I began adding collagen to my beloved coffee. I wanted to improve the look of my skin & add some protein to my morning routine. I had a few lines forming on my forehead & a dullness that wouldn't improve with skin care. I naturally bought whatever collagen I had heard the most about. It was easy to find & others seemed to approve of it!

The taste was something I had to get used to. A strange bitter aftertaste always followed with this new routine. I also had trouble mixing it without clumps. . . .YUCK. I was not happy to have my perfected cup of coffee RUINED! The results were satisfactory, so I continued to add it into my coffee. My skin improved & looked healthier as a result.

About two months ago I was introduced to Codeage. A California based company, dedicated to creating modern nutritional solutions. I was extremely interested in Codeage after learning about the inspiration behind their products. The company's creation was inspired by the founder's brother, who is a stage 4 Glioblastoma cancer survivor (you can watch an interview with him HERE if you want to know more). He ultimately used nutrition to aid in his treatment & recovery. All of their products are made in the U.S.A. without fillers or chemicals. Clean products sign me up!!
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I was drawn to their "Multi Collagen Protein Powder" because (I needed an upgrade) it includes 5 types of collagen from grass-fed bovine, wild caught fish, organic chicken & egg shell membranes. Most collagen only contains one source. I liked the idea of drawing from other sources of collagen & was open to a change in my current bitter routine. In September, I began adding the Multi Collagen into my daily routine. I immediately noticed a difference in the taste. NO AFTERTASTE. I was shocked at this revelation! 

Results within the first week or two:
- Skin glow: dullness resided
- Firmer skin
- Lip plumpness: no filler needed!
- Stronger healthier looking nails: no white spots or ridges
- Healthier hair: less breakage & more shine

Needless to say I won't be trading in my collagen for any other brand again. I am hooked on the results that Codeage has given me. I love the added bonus of 9g of protein to get me to my later breakfast! I am using my discount code & already repurchasing!

I am a legit salad lover. I don't waste my time with dinky bunny food. A real salad will change your thoughts about life!! A salad can become a crave-worthy meal with the right mix of ingredients. . .
Each element plays a part:
+ salty (seasoning, protein, nuts, or cheese)
+ sweet (dried fruits, tomatoes, balsamic, honey)
+ sour / tangy (citrus, olives, capers, fresh fruit) 
+ crunchy (greens, nuts, croutons, fresh veggies)
+ savory (roasted vegetables, warming spices)
+ neutral (most greens provide a good base)

My rules for salads are simple. Include one of each category above. I like to balance fresh ingredients with elements that have been cooked. If you have time to make a homemade dressing . . . it is that much better! 

The Harvest Salad is a fall spin off of Pierrot Gourmet's Penn Chicken Salad (The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago). Which is hands down the best salad I've had. Put it on your list for 2021 vacation spots. They have mastered the art of the salad, amongst other things. 

When it comes to feeding kids, we have to be on our game! They are the pickiest little people around. I've found that if I have fun eating tools & a handful of healthy recipes they will eat then everyone wins the battle!

The "eating tools" I arm myself with are related to anything food & drink. I have divided them up into two groups based on age: school age & toddler. The items below are tried & true purchases that I have made myself. They are used constantly in our home, with consistent outcomes! I don't waste my time on items that don't perform well, because kid's won't either!

​A large majority of them are made from silicone which is superior in my opinion. Metal is great too! Glass is not so ideal for kid's use unfortunately. I try to limit plastic & use materials that wear well over time. If I do end up purchasing a plastic cup or utensil, I will recycle it & replace it within a year or two. That way the plastic isn't breaking down & getting into what I am serving.
If you spend a little extra investing in quality items the dividends will pay back over time! 

The following items would be useful Christmas or birthday gifts for any kid. Those lucky parents! Our kids always get similar items in their stockings! The toddler list would also be a great resource for any baby shower purchase. 

*All items linked below

​Stainless Sandwich Container $18.50 - Lunch box approved! Washes well in the dishwasher. Fits a sandwich & then some.

Silicone Multicolored Pinch Bowls $10 - We use these for kid's sized soup, snacks & fruit. Easily stacked in any drawer & resist stains. Plus they are great anywhere in the kitchen! I've had these for almost 10 years, well before children!

Cutlery Set for Big Kids $10 - When you need a transition between toddler & adult silverware. Having their own knife is life changing!!
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Silicone Straws $6 - These are super high quality straws, they are thicker silicone than most. One of my favorites to use as well!
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Bamboo Rainbow Plate $2 - Love all of the colorful healthy foods on these! Made from bamboo & melamine, dishwasher safe. Matching cups & bowls as well!

Kid's 12oz Hydroflask $30 - The OG of water bottles, this will last forever. Extremely durable. Worth every penny! Easy to take on the go because it stays cold for so long.

Animal Snack Container (Zip closure) $9 - Comes in four different adorable animal designs. Great for on-the-go snacking. Size is the ideal portion for a snack or side in their lunch.

*All items linked below

​Silicone Adjustable Bib $20 (2 pack) - Dishwasher safe & doesn't stain. Easy to wipe clean after messy eaters!
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"Modware" Silverware $5 (Set of 3) - Love this funky fun tableware! Easy handles for little hands to hold. The fork actually breaks up food (ideal for parents prepping) and the spoon is the perfect size. There is nothing worse that using a baby/toddler spoon that is too little!

Divided Silicone Plate $10 - Ideal weight to keep food on the table, while providing function with divided sections. They come in such trendy colors!!

​Suction Bowls $10 (Set of 3) -  Their shorter height & just right suction power are ideal for little eaters. 

Straw Cup With Handles $20 (2 pack) - Helps littles transition from a traditional sippy cup with a regulated straw.

​Boon Pulp Feeder $11 (2 pack) - Get a bag of frozen fruit, pop some in this baby & watch them go! Teething toddlers love the cold on their gums. A fun way to eat fruit!
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​Collapsible Snack Cup $10 - I've tried many snack containers . . . this one takes the cake!! I so appreciate it's all-in-one setup. Super easy to clean & fill back up. Little hands can get in without trouble.

Or let's be honest husband friendly??? Mostly my own recipes that were created with family meals in mind. There are a few recipes from other bloggers that we often make at home.

Do you ever just wake up & think to yourself, "I'm getting old....everything hurts, I'm tired & I want to go back to sleep!" ?

When I was pregnant with our second child, I would often wake up thinking those exact thoughts. I was so run down, had no energy & was always tired. Being pregnant, I didn't think much of it. Fast forward almost two years later. . . I often find myself saying the same thing!
For a self-proclaimed "healthy" eater & active mom of two, I should feel better on a daily basis.

I have felt run down for TOO long . . . not to mention the handful of other issues I have dealt with since my twenties: year-long allergies, asthma, eczema, dry/itchy eyes, & digestive problems. Having our second child only exacerbated these issues, some became unmanageable. The new stress of managing two willful children, along with the anxiety that is 2020, sent my small issues to the front lines. My husband and I would often chat about this. He too experienced his own health issues for many years that over time became worse.

This can't be life as a "healthy" 31 year old. . .

So, this summer we set out to really pay attention to our health, get rid of any bad habits quarantine had promoted & get serious about what we could do.

We weren't sure where to begin so we started with the typical . . . healthier choices at meals, less snacking & more frequent workouts. I cooked at home A LOT! Which did seem to help our weight a bit. The daily health issues that we faced didn't seem to budge, maybe we needed to be more strict? 

Frustration set in. . .

By mere happenstance, my husband and I were talking with my brother who had recently taken the Wheat Zoomer test. A blood test, that measures antibodies to wheat peptides (gluten & non-gluten components) along with the antibodies that test for gut permeability (leaky gut). His results piqued my interest & prompted us to order the test for ourselves. We were able to use my future sister-in-law for our Wheat Zoomer test & consultation, who works in a Functional Medicine Clinic. *Note: such blood tests need to be run through licensed health care providers & cannot be ordered by individuals. Talk to your healthcare provider if it is something you are interested in.

Fast forward to the test results:
Both my husband & I . . .
- are highly sensitive to gluten
- experience "leaky gut syndrome"
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Based on the Wheat Zoomer test results, we should adopt a gluten free diet to reduce inflammation, heal the gut lining & promote overall immunity. So gluten free it is!

My dreams of visiting Italy & eating pasta everyday just died. Ha! 

In all honesty, this is just the first step in our journey to a healthier/longer life. I know that this will not be the answer to every ailment that comes along, BUT, I think it could truly benefit our future health & daily lives. Time will tell for this one! We are already to week two & seeing some great results! I will do an updated post on this topic in a few months.

You will begin to see food content that is centered around a gluten free diet. Let's all remember most fresh ingredients don't contain gluten! Recipes will not feature wheat or non-gluten free elements. Most ingredients in my recipes can be easily substituted already to meet your specific needs.
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House On The Hill will remain focused on stylish living, balanced eating & healthy lifestyle choices! Gluten free or not, there will be something for everyone!

​Instagram Accounts:
I have followed these accounts for several years, they are that good! They typically feature healthy food that is gluten free or super easy to adapt!
@EatingBirdFood
@RachaelsGoodEats
​@GlutenFree.FollowMe
@HealthyLittlePeach
@twist_of_lemons
@TheRealFoodrds
@RadiateWithRachel

Who else finds themselves with a produce overload sometimes?!
The summer tomatoes seem to multiply!! Combined with my tendency to over order on grocery pick up . . . I always seem to miss the weight of items & order waaaaay too much!! 

This recipe grew from a need to rid my counters of produce. In my mind, there is nothing better than homemade sauce. Tomato sauce is one of my favorites to make at home. This time I wanted a slightly different flavor profile with some added veggies for the kids!

This sauce has it all . . .
- smoky/roasted undertones
- creaminess without cream
- chunky rustic texture
- versatility: could be used in so many ways! 

Check out the recipe below!

I paired this sauce with my favorite meatball recipe for a hearty dinner!

Basic Meatball Recipe:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup Nut Crumbs (GF, Italian style)  or  1/2 cup panko
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 teas. each garlic powder & sea salt

*1 grated zucchini (pat dry), optional addition to meat mixture
400 degrees for 20ish minutes.

This sauce will have you coming back all fall & winter long! Warm & cozy!! Prep a double batch & store some in the freezer for easy weeknight solutions. You could even make it into a soup by adding additional chicken or vegetable broth & a touch of your favorite milk. YUM!